Diamonds have it rough, coach says
PERTH: New Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich says her team’s compromised preparation for the fourmatch Constellation Cup series against New Zealand could end up being a boost for its World Cup and Commonwealth Games title hopes.
The Diamonds will take part in a threeday training camp before flying to New Zealand on Monday, where they will undergo 14 days of managed isolation before the series starts.
The exact details of what they will be allowed to do while in isolation remains up in the air, but Marinkovich said team training sessions were unlikely to be allowed until day five, six or seven.
Players will spend most of the time confined to their hotel rooms.
The series opener is on
March 2 — the first day the Diamonds will be out of isolation.
Marinkovich conceded the limited preparation would hurt her team’s chances of being at their absolute best, but she was embracing the challenge.
‘‘I’d be lying if I said it was an equal playing ground,’’ Marinkovich said.
‘‘There are challenges. We might be together I guess in the same place for a period of time, but our ability to interact with each other and train is limited.
‘‘But that’s what we take on. This might be what we have to face when we go into a Commonwealth Games or a World Cup.
‘‘So it gives us an opportunity to see how it is, see what we can achieve in this period of time, and that the girls learn to adapt and prepare in a different way.’’
Steph Wood (knee) and Emily Mannix (hip) are sitting out the tour to focus on recovery from postseason surgeries, while Gretel Bueta is on maternity leave.
Star goalshoot Caitlin Bassett was included in the 16woman squad despite quitting the Super Netball ranks last year to join New Zealand outfit WaikatoBay of Plenty Magic.
Bassett joined the New Zealand league after being largely stuck on the bench at the Giants following the introduction of the twopoint shot in the Australian competition.
Marinkovich was not worried about the lack of game time Bassett had had in 2020.
‘‘When you look at the performances Caitlin put out on court, the quality is still there,’’ Marinkovich said.
‘‘She’s a highvolume shooter and definitely a high shooting percentage.
‘‘It’s what you do when you get those opportunities. I know she’s been working in this offseason to make sure that she’s in good shape coming into camp.’’
The buildup to Marinkovich’s first series as Diamonds coach has been far from smooth, the West Coast Fever salary cap scandal casting a dark shadow over Australian netball.
Marinkovich, who is also coach of the Fever but was not involved in the salary cap rort, said the ordeal had taken an emotional toll on her, but she was now fully focused on the Diamonds. — AAP